Got Questions: Chapter Length (DeepGenre).
Somewhat feels like answering the most irritating questions of ‘How long is a piece of string?’ Although that may depend on how big the ball of string is in the first place …
Obviously correct Chapter length depends on the story, format, and genre, but with the ever changing (indeed even competing) distractions of real life, ‘attention span’ may offer some insight. If, assuming, less is truly more, then potentially if you are running long chapters, perhaps it is taking too long to make a point.
The question I always ask myself begins with; what’s the purpose of this chapter? Then write it out, keeping an eye on extraneous waffle then compare that to what are my aims? what parts further the story and plot and which simply get bogged down in exposition. You want to instill a quick sense of progression giving the reader an enjoyable but productive advance through the story – so if it occurs to you, that maybe the chapter is too long, just imagine what the reader will be thinking and no doubt you’ll discover that it, IS, too long.
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Thank you for your insights and postlink at my blog, your ideas were helpful but I’d debate the rule of 15 pages for a chapter as this will depend on the genre and writer’s style. Never considered removing first chapter and to be honest never heard of such a practice before – will look into it.
Also read your BBC story, I entered as well, shame they never posted who got eventually got shortlisted but I guess they hold that until the program is made. I saw over 130-some thousand entered so you did well to get into the next round, bad luck you didn’t get further.
Just want to say also, that your work seems familiar to me in a really personal and thought provoking way. I’ve read your other poems at the TWN, you speak as if talking to my inner thoughts, I am sure you will be picked up soon judging by your work so far.
All the best with your novel remember to keep us informed.